Many of you who’ve come to me with specific problems and received deep tissue work have heard me recommend a nice, hot bath in Epsom Salts that evening. Well, there is a good reason for it. With the creation of new tonics, balms, sprays, soaks and other aids, many people have lost sight of the fact that before all of the fancier products came along, the old-fashioned products were what worked for most people. The newer products might come in fancier packages, have added aromas or come with sparkles and colors (not to mention a hefty price tag), but stripping all of that away, you end up with the underlying ingredient which is one that works on many different levels.
Did you know, for instance, that soaking a splinter in Epsom salts can release the splinter and help the area to heal? Many people know that Epsom salts work to relax tight muscles and are found in many bath salt products, but Epsom salts actually have dozens of healthful benefits. Epsom salts - magnesium sulfate - are a natural way to treat skin problems, relax the nervous system, and draw impurities and toxins from the body.

Soak aching, tired feet in a pan of water with half a cup of Epsom salts and not only will your feet feel better, but they’ll smell better too. Epsom salts work to neutralize odor and soften skin. Soak feet until they feel better then rinse and dry well.

As you’ve probably heard me say before, a full bath should contain 2 full cups of dissolved Epsom salts for relief of sore, tired feet, back muscles, legs, bruises or just as a way to have softer skin. I highly recommend this after any massage or bodywork treatment, as it can actually help prevent a large part of the soreness one might experience after having an intense deep tissue massage. If you have any strained muscles or sprains, you can take 1/2 to 1 cup of Epsom salts and make a “pack” with it to place on the affected area, wrap with hot towel and allow it to rest for 20 minutes. TIP: This can be alot less messy and more relaxing if done in the bath.

You can also rub Epsom salts all over the body, while wet, then rinse and towel off. Rubbing Epsom salts directly on the body exfoliates skin and leaves it smooth and silky. They make a great gift to give someone when you put them in a nice glass jar with lid and tie on a pretty ribbon. You can add scent to them by sprinkling them with essential oil. Or mix Epsom salts with moisturizer or olive oil and keep by the sink if you wash your hands a lot.
The salts do wonders for the hair, absorbing oil from problem hair by adding 8 tablespoons of Epsom salts to a half a cup of shampoo that’s formulated for oily hair. Put a tablespoon of the shampoo mixture on dry hair and work it in and around the scalp area, rinsing it out with cold water. To rinse it well, and further treat oily hair, pour a cup of apple cider vinegar over the hair, leave on for 5 minutes, and then rinse with cool water. To add fullness to thin hair, combine equal parts of Epsom salts and hair conditioner. Warm the mixture in a pan then work it into hair. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.

For occasional constipation or irregularity, adults can mix 2 to 4 teaspoons into water until dissolved and drink. Kids 6 to 12 take half of that. This can be used twice a day by taking the first treatment, waiting 4 hours and taking the second dosage if necessary.

So, the next time you’re shopping for bath, health or beauty products, pass by the fancy, expensive stuff and try Epsom salts for an inexpensive, healthy and effective alternative!